Champions Trophy 2017: Mortaza plays the pressure cooker game

Tags: Champions Trophy 2017, 2nd Semi-final - Bangladesh Vs India at Birmingham, Jun 15, 2017, Bangladesh, India, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Virat Kohli

Published on: Jun 15, 2017

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India are overwhelming favourites to win the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy against Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Thursday.

India are overwhelming favourites to win the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy against Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Thursday. And Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza played the mind games by saying ahead of the big match that India will be under greater pressure.

"Yes, we are playing in the semi-final and it is a pressure game. But if we are under pressure then I think India are under more pressure compared to us because of their huge population and the love for the game among common public," Mortaza stated at the pre-match press conference.

"Both teams face pressure of expectations. But at the end of the day, it's a game of cricket, so whoever plays well, they will win. I just told the players if you take it as 'the semi-final', the pressure will be going very hard, but if you think it's just another match the pressure will ease off," he added.

Mortaza also did not agree that this was the biggest match in Bangladesh's cricket history. "I have been answering that question since 2015 World Cup. Obviously, there is a big hype. Being among top-eight and in the semi-final is a big thing. But I am not sure if this is the biggest match or not."

On Bangladesh's transformation into a consistent ODI side, Mortaza said, “Beating England in 2015 World Cup and then giving New Zealand a tough fight were the high points.

"Then we beat Pakistan, India and South Africa at home. In last two years, we have managed to play with some sort of freedom. That is as much as you can do in the middle. Players feeling more secured about their places in the side. These things do help."

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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